PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, November 20, 2002

======================================

Citizens' Council on Health Care

1954 University Ave. W., Suite 8

St. Paul, MN 55104

CONTACT:Twila Brase, R.N., President

PHONE: 651-646-8935

======================================

CCHC REPORT PROFILES THE PUBLIC'S RESPONSE TO MINNESOTA'S

PLAN TO COLLECT PRIVATE MEDICAL RECORD INFORMATION

(St. Paul, Minnesota) - Members of the public are greatly opposed to

state data collection of private medical record information,

according to a report released today by Citizens' Council on Health

Care (CCHC).

The report, "State Collection of Private Medical Information: Public

Response to Minnesota's Proposed Rule" finds nearly 94 percent of the

1,086 public comments on the rule opposed to the state health

department's proposal to collect individually-identifiable medical

record data without patient consent.

"The public understands that state collection of private information

violates their rights as citizens and as patients. They were not

swayed by the state's arguments of 'public good' benefits," says

Twila Brase, president of CCHC, who authored the report.

The 28-page report provides background on the rule, as well as many

pages of direct quotes from supporters and opponents of the rule.

"We're profiling the public's response, so everyone knows where the

public really stands on this issue. The public had something to say

to the judge and we didn't want the public's voice to be lost. We

wanted to let them speak in their own words, and we wanted a chance

for them to be heard--both the supporters and the opposition."

Members of the public, including individuals, elected officials,

health insurers, health care practitioners, organizations,

corporations, and various public health officials provided email,

testimony and letters to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

and Judge Allan W. Klein, the administrative law judge who held a

hearing on the rule October 4, 2002.

The hearing was held after CCHC's email alert brought in hundreds of

letters requesting a hearing on the rule. By law, only 25 requests

are necessary to require the department to hold a hearing on the

proposed rule.

"Everyone has a stake in the judge's decision. A report on the

public's response brings more definition to the discussion. We also

thought it was important that the public have a chance to read the

stated rationale of the health department, and their response to the

concerns of the public," explained Brase.

Judge Klein took public comments through October 24, 2002, and

letters of rebuttal through October 31, 2002. By law, he must render

a decision by December 2, 2002. If approved by the judge, the

Governor has the authority to veto the rule. The legislature can also

address the enabling law in the 2003 session whether or not the rule

is approved.

"How private medical information will be treated in Minnesota is a

key decision for the public. Judge Klein's ruling could determine how

the public will view the health care system and state government far

into the future," says Brase.

The CCHC report can be found at their web site:

- 30 -

CCHC is an independent non-profit free-market health care policy

organization located in St. Paul, Minnesota

NOTE: If you do not wish to receive this email,

contact CCHC to remove your name from the list.

Thank you.

**************************************************************

A free-market resource for designing the future of health care

**************************************************************

Citizens' Council on Health Care

1954 University Ave.W., Suite 8

St. Paul, MN 55104

651-646-8935 phone

651-646-0100 fax

**************************

NOTE: If you do not wish to receive this email,

contact CCHC to remove your name from the list.

Thank you.